Chemistry 30

Last week the chem 30s learned about electrochemical cells and successfully build a voltaic and electrolytic cell. This week, we will finish up the unit, beginning on Monday with Faraday's law, which is used every day in industrial processing of metals! The rest of the week will be in preparation for the unit test that will be performed on Thursday. This way, the kids will have no homework through the break, and will be able to relax and have some fun!

Last week was a very titration filled week in chem 30. So full, that we actually didn't get a chance to learn about cells in a quick lab. Instead, we will be creating each of the cells prior to learning the concept, in order to experience the application of electrochemistry to everyday life. This concept often seems to give students trouble, so my hopes are that kids will all be present and ready to learn on Wednesday and Thursday!

The Chem 30s will NOT be given homework over the break. I would like them to study, as their midterm is the Wednesday after the break. So only studying... no homework. The best way would be 20 minutes a day, reviewing a few topics each day. Not much, but very effective. This week in Chem 30Monday: Project Work Period Tuesday: Voltaic CellsWednesday: Electrolytic CellsThursday: Work PeriodFriday: Work Period

Thank you to everyone who came out to Parent Teacher Interviews last Wednesday. It was great to see you all! This past week in chem 30, we pushed through half of the Electrochemistry Unit. Now we are going to slow it down, and perform a couple labs and projects to make sure the students understand what is going on!

Last week's exit slip was done better than the past ones, which tells me that the students are getting used to this type of assessment! Yay! The chem 30s also performed a quick lab on spontaneity, the students did very well on this lab! I was very impressed (with the ones that were handed in)

Last week, we completed the Thermochemistry Unit in Chem 30, and we have now moved on to Unit B: Electrochemistry! This unit is very theoretical, with only a small amount based on mathematical processes. I find, more often than not, students find this one of the hardest units in Chemistry 30! So hopefully, the kids are up for the challenge. I was in fact quite impressed with the chem 30's achievement on the unit test last week, the average was 64%. Many of the students have indicated that they will be rewriting the unit test Wednesday after school. In order to do this, the students will be required to complete test corrections during their spare or during FLEX block. The rewrite will begin Wednesday after the lesson, and will go until parent teacher interviews begin at 5pm on Wednesday evening. Hope to see you there!

Last week in chemistry 30, we completed Unit A Thermochemistry... the learning. This included completing 3 labs in the past 2 weeks! It has been a lot of work, but I truly think students will be ready for the Unit test... that being said I don't really think that they will be ready for a test on Tuesday... so I'm going to move it to Thursday (I'm not at school on Wednesday due to a High School Redesign Conference). After that, we will move on to Unit B: Electrochemistry. Electrochem is a difficult unit, as it is almost completely theoretical... which is difficult for mathematical learners. We will have to struggle through this together, but I am confident the 30s will be able to be successful with sufficient effort!